3: Discover and create records of existing planned gift pledges

It is likely that there are those in your parish that have indicated that your parish is part of their estate plans. Before initiating a public phase to a planned gift program, send out a letter of intent to determine:

Those who have already made a gift

Their desire to be acknowledged publicly

Their desire to be acknowledged publicly

Any remembrance or special consideration (including anonymity)

A sample of a letter of intent can be found here. Letters of intent can be sent with prepaid envelopes if confidentiality is a likely concern. Creating records of existing pledges allows you to initiate or bolster your program from a place of strength.